The first time I do this - everything seems to work fine and I can create (say) a new folder.

The 2nd time (usually, sometimes 3rd,nnth) time the menu will display ok, but just selecting "New>" (that is highlight the menu item) results in no sub-menu, an hour glass and a (two) '' "Not Responding" in the Task manager.

Why two copies of the folder in Task Manager - I don't know if this is a clue - I have only one copy of the folder open on the minimized window strip thingy at the bottom.

If I kill the folders in Task Manager, I reset the problem - it will occur again on the next go (ie, the first 'New>' will work).

The issue does NOT seem related to the number of existing items in the folder.

I'm sure this is related to some third-party tool or something that has added a Context Menu - but how do I debug this and find the culprit ?
--- UPDATE.

Looks like my explorer process spins off into an infinite loop: after the first post on here (thanks by the way), I ran 'regmon' and performed the test again.

This is what I see - over and over again - this is triggered by the first 'New>' selection, I guess the 2nd time the registry is locked out so the menu cannot be built the next time...Killing explorer kills this activity.

I have tried deleting the key "ShellNew" (wasn't able to), and then the individual keys within "ShellNew" (was able to): but seems to make no difference.

Regmon (not pasted here , but I can if would help) first shows the valid 'New>' items whizzing past, then it gets locks into this loop...

Additionally: I also get 3-4 popup warning when I boot my machine about registry keys having to had been repaired. I'll post up the exact text of this when I capture it next time... it's possible these boot-up messages started occuring at the same time as this weird 'New>' thing....

2 Answers
2

Well, I'll start you off, at least: the New entries are controlled by ShellNew entries in the registry. Jumping between those with a registry editor will likely pinpoint the problematic addition simply by looking for the one you don't remember having there before.